Official – Honda Racing saved by Brawn GP

It’s now official, Honda Racing F1 Team has been saved from the brink by its director, Ross Brawn. The Formula 1 team, based in Brackley (England), will be renamed for this new season as Brawn GP, or Brawn Grand Prix. The team has also confirmed its drivers, namely Button and Barrichello.

Rumors had been getting more precise in recent days, and it was during the night that the news broke: Ross Brawn buys Honda. The information came from the Japanese manufacturer itself. The official website has just been shut down, replaced with information about Brawn GP (www.brawngp.com).

After the drivers, who will form the most experienced line-up on the 2009 grid, the second confirmation comes from the engine supplier side. Honda is definitively leaving Formula 1. Brawn GP’s engines will indeed be Mercedes-Benz.

« These last few months have been a real challenge for us. It hasn’t been easy, and I thank our fans and the support of our partners. It’s really very gratifying to be able to reach such a conclusion! » Comments Ross Brawn in a statement.

« I am very happy to have worked with Honda Motor Company for so long, but we were at a standstill. It has ceased its operations but supported me until the end. I would also like to congratulate all the staff at the factory in Brackley, their commitment and dedication deserve immense applause. »

Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, the FIA (Fédération Internationale de L’Automobile), the FOM (Formula One Management), the FOTA (Formula One Teams Association), the BERR (UK’s Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform), and Bridgestone also contributed to the revival of this team, which was ultimately already experienced.

Brawn also expressed delight in retaining his two drivers, Button and Barrichello. Their experience will be an essential asset to make up for the time lost this winter. This will be the fourth season for the duo with the same team.

On his side, Hiroshi Oshima, the managing director of Honda Motorsport, commented: « Since the announcement of our withdrawal from Formula 1 on December 5th last year, we have conducted various studies and discussions so that the team can continue its activities as a new team and without us. We are therefore very happy to have been able to sell the team to Ross Brawn. »

Brawn GP has unveiled on its website what appears to be its future colors. In a manner similar to Jordan-Honda, yellow, black, and white will likely be featured on the BGP001. The new single-seater is currently in the garages at Silverstone and is expected to be on track today.

The team will also be present for real tests next week, in Barcelona and then in Jerez the following week. Finally, no information has been disclosed regarding the nature of the transfer. The modest sum of 1 dollar seems more than likely.